Dietary Interventions May Mitigate Health Risks of Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure Through Modulation of the Gut Microbiota: A Review

ABSTRACT

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a global public health concern owing to their extreme environmental persistence and multisystem toxicity. In recent years, accumulating evidence has highlighted a pivotal role of the gut microbiota in regulating the intestinal accumulation and elimination of PFAS. Specific microbial taxa, including members of the Bacteroidetes phylum and lactic acid‐producing bacteria, have been shown to capture PFAS through mechanisms such as bioaccumulation and microbial binding, thereby facilitating their fecal excretion and ultimately reducing PFAS concentrations in the liver and circulation. Importantly, dietary interventions—such as supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fiber, and synbiotics—can reshape gut microbial ecology and further enhance this microbiota‐mediated elimination effect. Emerging evidence from both animal models and human studies provides clues that such interventions may reduce internal PFAS burden and alleviate associated toxicological outcomes. This review systematically summarizes current advances in dietary modulation of the gut microbiota as an intervention strategy for PFAS exposure. We discuss the underlying biological mechanisms, evaluate existing experimental and epidemiological evidence, and outline future research directions and translational prospects. Collectively, these insights may inform the development of safe, accessible, and sustainable strategies for mitigating PFAS‐related health risks.